Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 Premier League win over Everton Monday was hardly a classic and will best be remembered for a halftime bust-up between Hugo Lloris and team mate Son Heung-min that manager Jose Mourinho described as “beautiful”.
With only one win in nine matches in all competition ahead of the game and their desire questioned by Mourinho after last week’s 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United, emotions were raw.
They were leading thanks to Michael Keane’s own goal but Lloris saw red as the players walked off the pitch, ranting at Son for not tracking back when Richarlison had a chance on the stroke of halftime.
They had to be separated by their team mates, although it was all smiles later.
Mourinho, who became only the fifth manager to rack up 200 Premier League wins and the second-quickest in terms of games behind only Sir Alex Ferguson, said he had encouraged his players to be more critical with each other.
Expanding on the mentality he expects from his players, Mourinho, a three-time Premier League winner during two spells as Chelsea boss, said he encouraged a frank exchange of views between players, if not in full view of the TV cameras.
